Metal Mondays: My Top 5 Thrash Bands

At this point in time, thrash is a historic and revered metal genre, in which many innovations were made, from which many legends were born.  Many contentious opinions have collided in the effort to determine the greatest thrash bands.  Here is my say in the debate.

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5. Megadeth

The brainchild of guitar god Dave Mustaine, Megadeth should make every best of thrash list.  With adept technical ability and creative riffing, Mustaine spearheaded a band with an ever-evolving but always grandiose sound.  In addition, his lyricism conveyed biting political commentary with a punk edge and humorous cynicism that will always remain relevant.

 

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4. Coroner

Hailing from Zurich, Switzerland, Coroner was a relentless thrash group that brought a new dimension to the Teutonic Thrash movement.  They delivered a highly technical and progressive brand of metal that many consider a return to classical composition.  Not only that, but they sprinted along at a breakneck pace.  These guys are really worth checking out if you haven't listened to them before.

 

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3. Slayer

Everyone likes Slayer.  They are the funnest, most energetic thrash group.  They're the thrash group you want to hang out with on the weekend while getting into drunken shenanigans.  Fast and loose, Slayer assaults the eardrums without remorse, spewing diabolic rhythms, throbbing perscussion, and spastic solos.  Furthermore, Slayer is a well-greased riff engine that manufactures catchy hook after catchy hook.  Certainly one of the best.

 

 

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2. Sepultura

Sepultura: The bad boys from Brazil.  These guys produced perhaps the meanest, heaviest incarnation of thrash with their dense, sludgy guitars, intimidating riffs, and pounding drums.  Lead man Max Cavalera sealed the deal with his gruff, punk-tinged vocal delivery.  Also, their lead guitar work, though not as emphasized as that of other thrash greats, was always colorful and evocative.  Adding jungle elements and atmosphere to their sound, they brought a new flavor to thrash.

 

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1. Metallica

Say what you will; Metallica is king.  I'm tired of hearing complaints about Metallica's sound changing for the worse after the '80s.  The fact of the matter is that all the other groups on this list, and many thrash bands of the '80s in general, either deviated from thrash eventually, broke up, or just plain got bad.  So give Metallica some slack because their first four albums are gods.  Metallica crafted easily the most complex compositions, the most intricate arrangements.  Their sound was invigorating yet thoroughly clean and precise.  They also created some of the most majestic solos and instrumental passages.  They could be slow and dramatic as well as whirlwind fast.  This range and ability earns them the number one spot.